The multiple checkpoints mounted on the Lagos-Abidjan trade corridor are soiling Nigeria’s reputation in trade facilitation, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Seme Area Command has revealed.
The Customs Area Controller, Dr Ben Oramalugo, noted a persistent challenge with other security agencies operating independently without coordination, often setting up multiple checkpoints that delay cargo and frustrate travellers.
“Customs is the lead agency, but we don’t have control over others. When you talk to them, they say, ‘This is our area’. We need to change,” he said.
Oramalugo, however, said there has been improvement in inter-agency collaboration with the reactivation of joint monthly security meetings since February when he assumed office.
Speaking yesterday during a courtesy visit to The Guardian headquarters in Lagos, Oramalugo said as part of broader efforts to boost trade efficiency and improve Nigeria’s regional standing, he has undertaken significant reforms to reduce the number of customs checkpoints between Badagry and Seme. He said he has cut down the number of customs checkpoints between Badagry and Seme from seven to three to ease trade along the critical route.
This move, he explained, was aimed at decongesting border roads, easing cargo movement and enhancing Nigeria’s credibility along the Abidjan-Lagos Corridor, a critical regional route linking French West Africa.
He emphasised that the gains recorded, including billions of naira in revenue from exports and re-exports, stem from the changes, which have reduced bottlenecks and encouraged formal trade.
“This corridor tells Nigeria’s story to the rest of the region. From Benin Republic to Cotonou, there is only one checkpoint. Nigeria must align with international best practices,” he said. He appealed for broader government intervention, urging the Federal Government to set a clear limit on checkpoints per agency.
“Let every agency be allowed only one or two checkpoints. That would go a long way in restoring sanity and improving our reputation as a trade gateway,” he stated.
The customs boss also defended the practice of officers chasing smugglers within urban areas, noting that the Customs and Excise Act empowers officers to seize contraband not just at ports of entry but also during distribution and warehousing.
“Legally, we are allowed to operate anywhere. However, we’ve been instructed to apply a human face to enforcement, avoiding crowded places like markets to prevent casualties,” he clarified.
Oramalugo disclosed that Nigeria has 1,400 porous borders stretching across 4,400 kilometres, which makes smuggled goods slip through unnoticed, hence the need for follow-up actions in the hinterlands.
He advocated a balanced approach to border security, combining physical infrastructure with digital surveillance technologies, especially as sister security agencies execute their powers.
Oramalugo reacted to a proposal by the Chief of Army Staff for “brick-and-mortar” walls along Nigeria’s expansive borderlines, saying while the idea is commendable, it is capital-intensive and would need to be complemented by technology and effective management systems.
On border security and anti-smuggling crackdown, Oramalugo said the command has intensified collaboration with local vigilante groups and traditional institutions, including the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to support intelligence gathering and deterrence.
“We have built strong ties with local security stakeholders. Every month, I meet with traditional rulers and community heads. We must secure Seme and ensure it remains the best-managed border in Nigeria,” he stated.
Speaking on revenue generation of the Command, the Deputy Comptroller for Revenue, Olayinka Adeyemi, highlighted strategic reforms and operational efficiency at the Seme Command, which has increased monthly revenue generation to N840 million.
He attributed the growth to a mix of import, and export duties, ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS) and baggage declarations.
“We generate revenue from several streams – imports, baggage and re-export levies. For instance, re-exported imported goods attract a 2.5 per cent fee and one per cent CISS. However, for local exports, we collect nothing. The real value is in repatriating foreign exchange, which strengthens the naira,” he explained.
